Most families wait until something breaks to start succession conversations. High-performing families don’t.In this powerful conversation, Ben sits down with succession planner Tim Lane of Proagtive to unpack a truth most farming families quietly suspect: the ones who thrive across generations aren’t the biggest or wealthiest — they’re simply the ones who start early and keep talking.
Tim lifts the curtain on what he’s seen after decades around kitchen tables across Australia — the families who glide through transition, the ones who hit turbulence, and the tiny mindset shifts that separate the two. You’ll hear how “success planning” (not “succession planning”) helps families think long-term, lower pressure, and build clarity bit by bit, years before any assets change hands.
Ben and Tim get real about the fears parents carry, the untapped drive of the next generation, the dangers of assumptions, and how early conversations create confidence, creativity and unity. You’ll also discover why starting 5–15 years ahead isn’t “too early” — it’s the single greatest advantage a family can give itself.
If you're a parent wanting to prepare well, or a next-gen ag leader wondering how to step up without stepping on toes, this episode offers the roadmap — practical, calm, grounded and completely aligned with what high-performing farming families do differently.